Jerry E. Martenson

Jerry E. Martenson, 59 of Kearney died Thursday, March 3, 2016 at CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney with the Reverend Victor Rasmussen officiating. Interment will follow at Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday at the O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney and one hour prior to the service at the church. Jerry Edward Martenson was born October 9, 1956 in Kearney to Gilbert M. and Anna H. (Grams) Martenson. He was the youngest of 5 children. Jerry was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney on November 4, 1956. He grew up in Kearney where he attended Zion Lutheran School and graduated from Kearney High School in 1974. As a young man, Jerry began to work with his brother John, at the Orlo Murrish Stables at the corner of Highway 30 and Cottonmill Ave, where he trained horses and coordinated trail rides. He would soon be pursuing his passion for baseball. He was a team member of the Kearney Midgets in 1973, and was catcher for the Kearney Legion in 1974-1975, leading the way to many championships throughout his teenage years. He was known to many as Munch and Pebbles, nicknames that his friends gave him early in his years. Jerry was an expert at the rules of baseball and was never shy in sharing his knowledge of the rule book. On June 1, 1985, Jerry was united in marriage to Nancy Lynn Broadwell in Kearney, NE. They spent the next 30 years together. This union was blessed with 4 children. His lifelong dream of travelling to New York City to see the Yankees play in Yankee Stadium, and a visit to the baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY was shared with his wife early in their marriage. As his boys were growing up, Jerry was involved with Kearney Little League Baseball. He coached many youth in the Kearney area, always encouraging their skills, building teamwork and helping them to be their best. He recognized the talent that each team member brought to the plate, and never missed an opportunity to share his passion of baseball. After high school Jerry worked for Baldwin Manufacturing in the shipping department and Delux Grain Dryers as a truck driver. He graduated in 1983 from Central Community College in Hastings as a Diesel Mechanic and was employed by Cummins Central Power in Kearney for 20 years. He then worked part time doing home improvement projects with Steve Duennerman. For the past 6 years he worked during harvest for Victor Rasmussen of Riverdale. He enjoyed being outside and sharing a good joke with his boss. Last spring Jerry worked for Craig Wietjes and Pioneer Seed where he delivered orders to area farmers. Jerry was a huge fan of the Oklahoma Sooners, Green Bay Packers and New York Yankees. Yankees catcher Thurmon Munson was his hero. He enjoyed watching western movies, his Black LTD, Cruise Night, grilling, coaching baseball, collecting baseball cards, hunting, growing tomatoes, owning horses and cattle, the sale barn, chocolate, pizza and pasta. He was a member of the Nebraska National Guard from 1976-1982, working first in radio communications, and later in the vehicle maintenance section. Jerry was a past member of the Wranglers horse club, and enjoyed parking cars at the Buffalo County Fair. Most of all he enjoyed raising his children and being an Amherst Bronco fan. Survivors include his wife, Nancy Martenson; sons Tyler and Jacob Martenson; daughter Katelyn Martenson all of Kearney; his mother Anna Martenson of Kearney; sisters Judy (Randy) Ahrens of Kearney, Jeanne (George) Day of Amherst; brother, Jim (Diane) Martenson of Holdrege; mother-in-law Beverly Broadwell of York; sister-in-law Rhonda (John) Bills of Lincoln; brother-in-law Grant Broadwell and wife Dee of Thatcher, Arizona; sister-in-law Judy Martenson Goss of Pleasanton. He is also survived by 17 nieces and nephews, 39 great nieces and nephews, as well as numerous lifelong friends. Jerry was preceded in death by his infant daughter Haley Martenson, father Gilbert Martenson; father-in-law James Broadwell; brother John Martenson; and brother-in-law David Scott Broadwell. Memorials are suggested to Kearney Little League, Kearney American Legion Baseball or the Amherst High School. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Jerry E. Martenson

October 9, 1956 - March 3, 2016